Sr. Manager, Software Engineering (Services Lead)

About the role

You will define the engineering strategy and technical roadmap to develop our global backend infrastructure with an understanding of our audience and product goals. You will manage and scale multiple engineering teams to support product needs through pre-production, production and post-launch. You will partner with product and delivery as they define product features and product roadmap. You will collaborate and coordinate with Riot Central technology teams to efficiently deliver world-class solutions. You will direct development and manage performance of external engineering teams in other geographies. You will collaborate in technical/architectural discussions, provide direction and drive decision-making. You will directly be accountable for the technical success of the team including ownership of our systems and services operating well and in a cost-effective manner in live environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define the engineering strategy and technical roadmap to develop our global backend infrastructure with an understanding of our audience and product goals.

Manage and scale multiple engineering teams to support product needs through pre-production, production and post-launch.

Partner with product and delivery as they define product features and product roadmap.

Collaborate and coordinate with Riot Central technology teams to efficiently deliver world-class solutions.

Direct development and manage performance of external engineering teams in other geographies.

Collaborate in technical/architectural discussions, provide direction and drive decision-making.

Drive the planning and execution of engineering work including requirements gathering, technical discovery, technical design, and work breakdown and estimation.

Directly accountable for the technical success of the team including ownership of our systems and services operating well and in a cost-effective manner in live environments.

Identify, interview, and hire software engineers to support team and Riot hiring goals.

Support engineers with performance management, and career management and development including stretch opportunities for them to grow.

Create a culture of leadership across engineering by seeking different perspectives at all levels to solve problems and contribute ideas.

Champion the integration, extension, and scaling of critical backend technologies to meet the needs of a live Riot title.

Act as a hands-on implementation leader, especially in the initial phases of owning the service and technical outcomes.

Serve as a mentor for engineers, overseeing their performance while finding stretch opportunities for their growth aligned with results.

Requirements

6+ years of experience as a software engineer.

2+ years of game development experience working in various platforms (i.e. mobile, console, PC, etc.).

3+ years in a leadership position, working directly on the production of a game as an Engineering Manager.

Experience leading teams through feature development (planning, execution, delivery, post-release support).

Experience building reliable, scalable, and maintainable backend distributed systems.

Experience with the full software development lifecycle, including shipping one or more products on large code bases that span a range of platforms and tools.

Experience collaborating across non-engineering departments to create solutions.

Experience with Golang or Java.

Nice to have

Experience developing or managing development of full-stack solutions.

Experience managing co-development or outsourcing relationships.

Experience shipping a game on Unreal Engine.

Experience with build and release pipeline management.

Experience with the pre-production, production, and post-production phases of game development.

Familiarity with modern game platforms and practices.

Practical notes

For this role, you will find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you.

This role reports to the Tech Director on an unpublished R&D product.

You will be responsible for directing internal and external teams of engineers.

The position involves hands-on implementation at least initially.

We offer flexible work schedules, open paid time off, medical dental and life insurance, parental leave, and a 401k with company match.

Employment is contingent on successful completion of background checks and verification of credentials.

You must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.

The role is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires presence in the office as needed.

This job description does not define the scope of all responsibilities and duties, and other duties may be assigned as business needs arise.

Recruitment agencies need not contact Riot Games regarding this role.

Only candidates who match the requirements will be contacted for the next steps.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.